Italy: In Terre Di Toscana (trip)
Italy: In Terre Di Toscana
- Figline Valdarno , Italy
- Culinary & Wine Travel
“Claudio, Sabrina and the whole family were so welcoming and hospitable during our stay. They went out of their way… ”
| from $1,185* per person | 5 Days | Year-round |
| Boutique accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: The International Kitchen | 12 people max | |
About the cooking lessons: The lessons are led by Chef Claudio Piantini. Claudio grew up in a typical Italian home, where the quality of food and cooking was very important. At the tender age of 14, Claudio worked secretly as a waiter in a fine restaurant and this was the beginning of an illustrious career. He recognized how the pleasures of good food could unite people from all different backgrounds. Following his formal chef training, he became a professional sommelier and managed a restaurant in Florence. His dream, of course, was to have his own restaurant and returned to his home town to open Torre Guelfa Restaurant, which immediately put his rising star on the culinary horizon. In 1995 The International Kitchen was fortunate to begin a collaboration with this wonderful, passionate and charming chef, whose delight in his art is totally contagious! During your lessons, you will learn classic dishes of Tuscan cuisine, known for its refined simplicity. You will prepare classic dishes such as ribollita and crostini, along with more unusual dishes such as castagnaccio. Whether you are an advanced cook, or a eager beginner, Claudio is able to manage every level, much like a conductor with each section of the orchestra. You will come away with a vast number of recipes from the hands of a true Tuscan chef, imparting his knowledge with infinite kindness, patience and generosity. We truly love Chef Claudio!
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Locations visited/nearby
In Terre Di Toscana , Tuscany , Cooking Class , Cooking Vacation, Italy
2 testimonials about this trip
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Reviewer: Dennis K.
located in
Washington DC.,
Maryland
USA
Claudio, Sabrina and the whole family were so welcoming and hospitable during our stay. They went out of their way to make sure that we enjoyed our time with them. The cooking experience and the tasting experiences were extraordinary. The accommodations were excellent. We all had a wonderful and memorable time in Figline and will recommend it highly to our friends. In addition, Karen in Chicago was very helpful in answering preparation questions and helping us to arrange a rental car--which surprisingly also turned out to be a pleasant experience!
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Reviewer: Leann B
located in
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
USA
The entire experience was superb and far exceeded my expectations. Claudio was a wonderful teacher and an incredibly gracious host throughout our stay. His staff was "over the top" in meeting our every need/request. Our accomodations at a nearby Villa were wonderful. And the food/wine . . . words can't describe. The entire experience was a very memorable highlight of my trip to Italy.
2 testimonials about the provider, The International Kitchen:
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Reviewer: Thomas & Christine L.
located in
NC
USA
I'd like to start by saying, this was the best vacation of our lives. The Relais Oasi Olimpia is a five star hotel with a four star rating. Every member of the staff was warm hearted and friendly, and totally dedicated to our needs and well being. The rooms were large and comfortable, especially compared to the so-called four star hotel we stayed at in Rome. Carmen Mazzola the general manager was extremely competent, resourceful, and accommodating. Whenever we made a request, or a scheduling change was necessary due to weather or some other reason, she handled all with speed and good nature, always exclaiming, "It's nothing!" when we thanked her. The cooking lessons with Marco the Chef were just what we had hoped them to be. Nothing too intense, (after all we were on vacation) but informative and easy to execute. I'm happy to say, Christine and I are quite competent now in producing a variety of delectable dishes we would be proud to serve anyone. Our boat tour to Positano was wonderful, our host Antonio piloted the boat to the picturesue little town, and later stopped at a cove where we swam in the Mediterranean and had an expertly prepared lunch. Our favorite tour was of the Mozzarella Factory, I won't say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Suffice to say, don't miss it. Being Italian-American, this vacation awakened feelings in me long hidden. Personality traits that I have are prevalent in Southern Italy. I felt like I was among my own kind at last. I want to go back.
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Reviewer: Katie P
located in
UK
I just wanted to let you know that Chris and I had a wonderful time at Chateau de Berne last week. Mayung took very good care of us as ourhostess, and Jean-Louis is great! And of course the location is absolutely beautiful, as you know. We were made to feel very welcome the whole time we were there. I'm a few months pregnant, and Mayung did a great job of juggling our schedule so that I got some rest when I needed it but we also managed to fit in a lot of activities (including a visit to the market, a winery tour and wine tasting and a visit to a local abbey as well as some shopping on our own).And the cooking lessons were very well done. Chris and I were the only students (and in truth, Chris was the only one really cooking with Jean-Louis -- my job was to take notes and pictures!), so it felt like a one-on-one tutorial. Jean-Louis is a patient teacher and he did a good job of explaining everything he was doing. As the week progressed, Chris took a more and more active role in the food preparation, and the hands-on approach was very educational too. Everyone at Chateau de Berne was warm and friendly, and they really did make us feel very welcome there. This program was Chris's birthday present (his 40th) and I'm very pleased with how well it worked out! Thank you!
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival on your own.
Welcome cocktail followed by dinner at the Relais Torre Guelfa, where you will first experience Chef Piantini’s delectable Tuscan cuisine.
Day 2
Breakfast.
Your first hands-on cooking class with Claudio to prepare your dishes for lunch. A variety of Tuscan dishes, appetizers, first and second courses and desserts, will be taught.
Lunch to follow based on your efforts.
Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure and overnight.
Day 3
Breakfast. Those on the two-night program check out and depart. Buon Viaggio!
For those on the four-night program, continue with a morning cooking class with Claudio to prepare your dishes for lunch.
Afternoon free, perhaps to visit the famous Chianti area.
Light dinner at Torre Guelfa.
Day 4
Breakfast.
Morning at leisure with lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, your final cooking class.
Farewell dinner, and if requested, Claudio will be happy to introduce you to his collection of grappas.
Day 5
Breakfast and checkout.
More information from The International Kitchen:
- View trip on provider's website
www.theinternationalkitchen.com/cooking-vacations/italy/tusca… - Company profile, experience, and history
- View all of their trips
- Email this trip page to a friend
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